Cafe Diglas (Wollzeile)

If you’re near St. Stephen’s Cathedral and need a break in grand Viennese fashion, walk a few steps over to Cafe Diglas. The elegant pink facade with golden letters hides an interior with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and snug booths with red upholstery. Somewhat disjointed are the erotic black-and-white photos that hang from the wall panels.

In the mornings, locals gather here before the cascade of tourists arrive. Diglas is best known for its in-house pastries, such as the ethereal cottage-cheese strudel (Topfenstrudel). Note that in the old Vienna tradition, service can be unkind and that price points are steep. The Diglas family, one of the well-known restaurateurs of the city, have two additional locations.